By lucky Patrick
Fort Portal Tourism City has officially launched a six-month Community Health Extension Worker (CHEW) training program, sponsored by Baylor Uganda, aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery at the grassroots level.
Speaking at the launch held earlier this week at East division hall in kitumba , Dr. Mugisa Emmanuel, the City Health Officer for Fort Portal, commended the trainees for their commitment to improving community health. He also expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Health Uganda for spearheading the initiative, noting that it is part of a broader national strategy that began as a pilot in Mayuge District.
Dr. Mugisa revealed that the government plans to train over 20,000 Community Health Extension Workers across the country, with approximately 30 percent already trained. In Fort Portal alone, more than 50 participants have enrolled in the program.
He emphasized the importance of CHEWs in promoting preventive healthcare, particularly in addressing non-communicable diseases and improving sanitation in communities. He added that diseases such as malaria and HIV/AIDS continue to place a heavy burden on the population, underscoring the need for trained personnel at the community level.
Representing the Ministry of Health, Dr. Sete Tibenda thanked the trainees for taking up the responsibility to support the health sector. He expressed optimism that the program would significantly improve healthcare services in Fort Portal Tourism City.
The Deputy Mayor of Fort Portal, Betty Mujungu, also lauded Baylor Uganda for its continued support to Uganda’s health sector. She urged the trainees to remain dedicated throughout the six-month program, noting that each ward in the city is represented by two participants.
Mujungu added that the city leadership is committed to utilizing the trained workers to enhance community health systems and ensure better service delivery at the grassroots level.
The training program is expected to equip participants with essential skills to educate communities, prevent disease, and promote healthier living practices across Fort Portal.